Gulf Alliance for Local Arts

In Attendance: Ally Sanxay, Amber Davis, Polly Searle, Kim Harrison, Don Ouellette, Sandie Yarbrough, Ed Tiley, Bill Williams

Vice President Amber Davis called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.

Old Business:
• The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and discussed. A motion was made by Ed Tiley and seconded by Don Ouellette to accept the Treasurer’s Report. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business:
• The budget will be ready for review at next month’s meeting
• Pamela Garmon is doing better and is resting at home. A motion was made by amber Davis and seconded by Sandie Yarbrough to send flowers to Pamela at home. The motion passed unanimously.
• Amber Davis read a letter from Pamela Garmon stating that she would be stepping down as President and suggesting Don Ouellette take over the position. A motion was made by Kim Harrison and seconded by Bill Williams to nominate and install Don Ouellette as President. The motion passed unanimously.
• It was agreed that GALA needs a Performing Arts Chairman and recommended that Pamela Garmon serve in that capacity.
• A discussion was held regarding changing the Board meetings to Monday evenings with the expectation that more Directors would be able to attend. It was also discussed that in order for most Directors to attend, the meetings would need to be held after normal business hours.
• The salary assistance grant was discussed in light of current funds needing to be expended by June 30th, 2009. A motion was made by Don Ouellette and seconded by Ally Sanxay to nominate Kim Harrison as Interim Executive Director. The motion passed unanimously. Don, Kim, and Ally will refine the job description and write up a contract for the position.
• Amber Davis reported that Kellee Novak is still on board as a Director as long as the meeting are held after normal business hours
• A motion was made by Amber Davis and seconded by Ally Sanxay to nominate Anissa Neubauer to an open Board member position. The motion passed unanimously.
• Krichelle McGehee and Mike Lacour will serve as a liaison between GALA and the schools and recreation offices respectively.
• A motion was made by Kim Harrison and seconded by Ally Sanxay to form a Grant Application/Program Development committee consisting of Kim Harrison, Don Ouellette, and Sandie Yarbrough and present outcome to the Board at the next meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
• Various potential projects, events, and activities for GALA consideration were discussed. Some GALA liaisons were accepted/assigned. As the list was quite lengthy and requiring more detailed discussion, it was decided a workshop would be held to allow more members to provide input.

A motion was made by Sandie Yarbrough and seconded by Bill Williams to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was reconvened to address a grant request with a deadline prior to our next meeting. A motion was made by Ed Tiley and seconded by Amber Davis to provide a grant in an amount not to exceed $1,200 to the Gulf County schools “Write A Play” program which begins in the fall of 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was re-adjourned

Next meeting: If the majority of Directors confirm that moving the meetings to the 3rd Monday of each month, the next Board Meeting will be held May 18th at 6pm est. at the GALA office located at 222 Reid Ave.


Sandie Yarbrough